Paris and Rome...I need him home.

I am fully aware of how much Adam does for us; for goodness sake, my mom reminds me daily that I'm spoiled. However, nothing like 5 days apart to renew that appreciation! Thankfully, my mother-in-law spent the long weekend with us, watching the boys Thursday and Friday while I was at work. She cooked, cleaned, and even took a few middle of the night feedings with Jace (gotta love those growth spurts). She stayed until Monday so I could take Jace to the doctor for his shots without Jackson. Don't know what I would have done without her because the few short hours between her leaving and Adam arriving proved to be rather exhausting! She was on the road headed home by noon, leaving me and the boys to wait for Daddy to arrive home around 11pm. I spent the afternoon catching up on lesson plans while Jace took a long nap and Jackson played. I had a long list of things I hoped to get accomplished before the busy week got underway. Laundry, bathrooms, lunches for the week, baths for the boys... About the time Jace woke up a little on the fussy side, Jackson started in full force with Grandma withdraws. Jace was not satisfied with any of his usual toys or distractions and decided only being held by mommy would do. Only, I had to put him down to begin dinner for Jackson. Jace was, of course, hungry at the same time. (I look forward to the days when they can eat the same dinner!) Jace screamed in his bumbo seat while I quickly shuffled around the kitchen making Jackson's dinner and putting mine back in the fridge. Let's face it. I wouldn't be eating any time soon. Jackson is bouncing after me repeating, "I need a straw!" over and over and over. A bottle soon solved all Jace's problems, but getting Jackson to eat was another matter. With dinner over and Jace down for a quick nap, I shifted focus to bath time. Jace woke up just in time for me to stick him in the tub with Jackson. Putting Jace down long enough to get Jackson dried off and jammies on was tricky. Catching Jackson aka "Spiderman" to put him in his "pajammies" was also tricky, especially when he suddenly turned into Iceman and froze me, then spun into Firestar and put a ring of fire around me. Luckily, mommy's powers are stronger than all superheroes', and she was able to use her strong magnetic force to drag Spiderman/Iceman/Firestar close enough to her to grab him and force him into his nightwear. After teeth brushing, book reading, and song singing Jackson was asleep by 8:00 thank-you-very-much. And, drum roll please, Jace was asleep by 8:40!!

 Starting a new year always brings out the list maker/organization side of me. And, this year, I've got quite the list! In addition to more exercise and healthy eating habits, less TV and procrastination, I've added BLOGGING to my goals! Time is always an issue-- two kids (one being an infant), grading, lesson plans, and working on a master's degree occupies a lot of it, and I've got to sleep at some point. Therefore, my blogging goal is an easy one (hopefully!). So fellow bloggers and readers of blogs, I will attempt to blog twice a month. And you better believe this entry counts as one of my two posts for the month of January!

I'm a little sad that Christmas over. It was such a fun holiday season with the boys. I look forward to next year as much as Jackson, who has been asking everyday since Christmas "how close is Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?" I showed him a calendar this morning, and I wish I could have captured the look on his face as I kept turning page after page. Maybe he understands now? 

I've included a few of my favorite pictures (snapped with my iPhone, which is another goal--Take more pictures!).

Jackson and Jace watching the favorite movie of this season-
"Polar Express"

Jackson accompanied Daddy to work on his last day before
Christmas break. They took a coffee/chocolate milk break.

We had to visit the "North Pole Express" this year. It was a fun, decorated little town with a train ride to the North Pole. The elves sang Christmas song favorites, and Santa made an appearance on the train! Jackson wanted to know why we didn't get all the way to North Pole. Of course, the tracks were too icy to get there. Here are a few pictures from our fun night! 

Nursery Obsessions and My Fabulous Husband

We have been hard at work the past few months with nursery-related projects. Adam and I finally compromised on a concept for our room (thanks to the efforts of Andrea Crosswhite!), and we went to work painting the agreed upon blue and white stripes. The closer the nursery is to being finished, the more obsessed I become. We'll blame it on pregnancy hormones.

Before shot- our "blank canvass"

First, we taped. This only took...oh... about a week!

Then, the painting began, and we thought would never end.

In addition to painting the room and ceiling, we also sanded the doors and trim and painted them white. And, by "we," I mean mostly Adam. He didn't want me climbing the ladder, smelling the paint fumes, or breathing in dust. 

Our next project was the crib. We planned to use Jackson's crib, but I was ready for something different. I talked Adam into sanding the dark stain off the crib, priming it, and painting it "orange nut." Adam was skeptical about the color, but now that the room is coming together, he loves it.

 It took about 15 hours of sanding, 6 hours of priming, 8 hours of painting, and 4 trips to Lowes.

With the stripes and crib complete, I added some furniture to the room. I bought some simple white shelves and found a dresser on Craig's List. The dresser needed a little work...but hey, it was a great price! Adam sanded and primed the dresser for me, and I painted it white. We replaced the knobs with orange knobs we found at Hobby Lobby. 

We've accomplished a lot, but I'm not finished yet! We ordered a rug from Target (only available online). I could hardly wait for it to be delivered. In fact, I didn't quite make it to the delivery date. It all started with being able to "track" the rug. When I found out that the rug had made its way to the UPS Distribution Center in Mesquite, I begged Adam to call and find out if we could go pick it up. (He had to call because I ordered the rug with his card; therefore the order was in his name.) After waiting on hold for almost an hour, he found out that in order to pick up the rug, we would have to call Target and ask them to release the "deliver" tag so we could pick it up from UPS. Adam waited on hold with Target and finally was able to request that Target remove the hold. Target agreed to call UPS and lift the hold. We were told UPS would call us within the hour to tell us when we could  come get it. Adam made the first phone call at 5:00pm, and it was now 7:45pm. With our friends, Michael and Andrea, tagging along, we decided to go over to the distribution center. Andrea and I shopped nearby, while the guys (and Jackson) waited on the rug. After an hour and half of waiting, Adam was told the rug could not be located, and he would have to come back tomorrow. Oops! The rug could no longer be delivered since we had changed the tag on it. We tried to pick it up at the Distribution Center the next morning, but they still couldn't find it! Finally, we got a call that it had accidentally been loaded on the truck anyway. However, the driver could not deliver it because we had changed the instructions. Adam had to call Target again and ask them to call UPS and OK the delivery. Finally, the rug was delivered!!!! Unfortunately, the polka dots are too dark, and I'll be returning it to Target. So, the search for a rug continues.. But, I know for sure I have the best husband in the world! 

Long Time No Blog

If I wait to blog one more week, it will be exactly one year since my last post. (What better day to start a new entry, right?) However, if I put off blogging another week, procrastination might officially take over my life and I may never become a diligent blogger. So... it may not be exactly a year since my previous post, but by starting today, instead of putting it off yet again, I'm sort of pledging to blog more frequently, even if my mom is the only one who reads this!! A lot has happened in one year, and I've realized I will someday forget these priceless moments if I don't buckle down and write about it.

A quick recap of the last year:

--Jackson is no longer scared of his big boy bed. He does, however, still climb into our bed in the middle of night. Sometimes, we don't notice until morning.
--We potty trained Jackson last summer, a few months after he turned two. One adventure I won't forget.
--Jackson started Barn Yard Gate "private school" aka daycare because the DLC at FBA, where Adam works, closed its doors. After a few rough days (for Jackson and mommy!), we adjusted to the new place.
--Adam and I began our 4th year of teaching. Adam graduated with his master's degree in May 2011, and I reached the half way point for mine (due to graduate in Dec. 2012).
--We had Thanksgiving at our house (first time!) with my side of the family. I found out Thanksgiving Day I was pregnant.
--Jackson was actually excited about Christmas this year. Months later, he will still occasionally ask if it is getting close yet.
--Jackson's favorite Bible story is Adam and Eve in the garden, partly because of the sneaky snake and partly because of the name Adam. Every time he hears the name Adam, he says, "That's you, Daddy!" He also likes the story of Noah.

Now, that we're all caught up, I can start blogging current events. Jackson is a talkative three year old now, and we are expecting baby boy number two in August. The summer months will be spent preparing the nursery, organizing and cleaning the house, and getting ready for another school year in the fall. This should make for some good reading! Stay tuned!

A Better Bedtime

Tonight Jackson got out of his bed one time.  He fussed a little for like 3 minutes at the most.  He asked for a drink of water, which we responded by telling him to lie down, close his eyes, and we'd bring it to him. Then, we waited 5 minutes, and he was out!  Does "tricking" count as progress?

Fool Me Once...

Continuation of our big boy bed transition. Read the previous blog for explanation.

Night number three- "The Plan"

After last night's emotional breakdown, we needed a plan.  Now, more than ever, we needed to be consistent, for fear of ending up on "Super Nanny" with seven-year-old Jackson who screams at the top of his lungs at bedtime, unless both of his parents sleep on the floor next to his bed, where they must remain the entire night or he'll beat them up. What? Have you ever seen the show? It happens!

Our plan was to calmly walk Jackson back to bed, like we've been doing, but instead of staying in there and trying to reason with him we would say, "Good night.  I love you." and walk right back out of the room.  Simple. Consistent. Calm.

Jackson has also been contemplating the past few nights, and he too formulated a plan. Both plans went into effect at exactly 8:00. Daddy announced it was time for bed. Jackson walked over to the living room window and announced the sprinklers were on. We picked up toys, brushed teeth, drank water, read one book, sang songs, and climbed in bed. First came the plea for another book. Denied.  "In the morning," I said.  We gave kisses, turned the light off, and walked out of the room.  Let the games begin.  He didn't scream at the top of his lungs, just sort of this whiny, fake cry. Is this progress? He immediately walked out of the room.  Adam walked him back.  "Good night. I love you." Now Jackson was crying for mommy. Adam and I switched off every few times or so.  "Good night. I love you," over and over again. He requested his "Veggie Tales" CD, "Good night. I love you," I said.  Adam said, "That's kind of harsh isn't it? Can't we just switch CD's for him real quick." No. It's a distraction. We have to stay focussed. "Sit down," Jackson pleaded. "Good night. I love you."  He went on to ask to sleep in mommy's bed, for daddy to sleep in his bed, to play a game, for a hug, and to be rocked. All of which, we responded with, "Good night. I love you." Then, the secret weapon. He announced he needed to go potty. Of course. We always let him go when he needs to and praise him for trying. Little stinker! It caught us by surprise and made us think for a minute. Should we let him? But ultimately we still responded with, "Good night. I love you." I had a weak moment when he asked for a drink of water. He had been crying for 45 minutes. I'm sure he really was thirsty. I told him to lie down, and I would get him some water. As I reentered his room, he was lying down, just like I asked. No crying. "Good job, Jackson. Thank you for lying down." He sat up quickly and said cheerfully, "I waked up!!"  "Good night. I love you," I responded.  At exactly 9:30, the crying ceased, and Jackson peacefully drifted off to dream land.

Where is our big breakthrough??  When will we see progress?  Like 30 minutes of crying instead of an hour.  Sigh.

Big Boy Beds - A blog post by Jamie Sijansky

This is  4 days of blogging all in the same post.  Apologies!

Jackson is two years and 3 months old, starting to wear big boy underwear, drinking from a regular cup, using 7+ word sentences, picking out his own clothes, expressing his opinions, questioning and repeating everything, and getting freckles--we can't keep it from happening.  He is turning into a big boy, a kid!  With all of these wonderful transitions comes "the time" to move from his crib to a bed.  A time I have been dreading.  After all, who doesn't love cribs?  They are safe and have those brilliant bars to keep him secure.  He's happy, and we're happy.  Now I'm left wondering if we will ever be happy again.

We gave his big boy bed a lot thought.  OK, I admit, I was stalling a little.  No bed meant a little more crib time.  We did some research, looked online, visited furniture stores and Ikea.  We decided to skip the toddler bed (a waste of money) and jump into a twin size bed, preferably low to the ground with a rail..that goes all the way around the bed..wait, I'm describing a crib.  After looking a lot and finding very little, my aunt surprised us with her boys' sturdy, oak bunk beds, which are still in excellent condition.  They met all of the criteria... except for the rail that encircles the bed. :) We assembled the "new" beds and hid the ladder in the closet.  The big boy bed transition was upon us.

Night number one- entitled, "Into the Unknown"

We talked up the bed a lot. All day. Jack was very excited. We went through the usual nightly routine of brushing teeth, reading a story of Jackson's choosing, and rocking while singing two or three favorite songs. We moved all of his animal friends and blanket to his new bed. Jackson crawled in AND... immediately started crying. Adam and I both sat next to the bed and tried to coax him to lie down, but he wouldn't have it. After a few minutes of of failed attempts, we decided to say goodnight and leave the room. (I am now going to insert some clarification. Jackson was crying because he didn't want to go to bed, which started about a week ago because he wanted to stay up and play with his aunt and uncles, who spent a few days with us. In his crib, he'd cry a little and call us into the room every other second with a new excuse to stay awake, but eventually, he grew bored and would fall asleep. He was not crying because he was scared of the new bed.) Adam and I left the room and walked into the kitchen. A few seconds later the crying stopped, and Jack's door slowly creaked opened.  His head popped out of the small opening, and he cracked up laughing when he saw us staring at him from the kitchen.  And so it begins, the realization, the enlightenment.  "If I'm upset about going to bed, I can just get OUT of my bed." I took him by the hand and led him back into his room.  Then the crying started. Then the quiet. Then the creak of the door. Then the crying as we walked back to bed and so on.  Over and over and over.  After 15 minutes of this I was ready to put him in his crib.  "He's just not ready!" I pleaded with Adam.  However, perseverance was our motto, and one hour later he was peacefully sleeping in his new bed.

Night number two- "Here We Go Again!"
Jackson started giving us excuses before bed, if that gives any indication of how bedtime went.  He crawled into bed crying and hopped down and followed us out before we could even get outside of the room.  We took turns taking him back to bed, sitting with him, and trying to coax him to lie down. Exactly one hour later, he was finally asleep.

Night number three- "I've Got This!"
Adam needed to do research for his thesis so I assured him I had bedtime under control.  No need to tag team it tonight.  He headed to Starbucks, and I went through the bedtime routine alone.  I fully expected his usual crying, but what I wasn't prepared for was the toll it would take on me doing this alone.  Jackson screamed at the top of his lungs for daddy (of course, because daddy couldn't tuck him in, and my son is the king of excuses). I walked him back to bed over and over and over.  He screamed louder and louder.  I felt my blood pressure rising, and I had to take deep breaths to stay calm.  At times I wanted to yell, "Just go to sleep!!"  Other times I wanted to give in, to rock him, or crawl in bed with him, but I managed to calmly walk him back to bed and leave the room.  I could feel myself reaching a breaking point as the clock turned 9:30 and no end was in sight.  I called Adam crying and asked him to come home.  I couldn't take anymore.  Of course, Jackson fell asleep at 9:35, right before Adam walked in the door.

Keep reading as I update our progress or the lack there of.